Toothpaste cartridge and brush



March 14, 1967 w. c. JOINES TOOTHPASTE CARTRIDGE AND BRUSH 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 19, 1964 INVENTOR William C. Joines BY WATTORNmQ March 14, 1967 JONE 3,308,836:

TOOTHPASTE CARTRIDGE AND BRUSH Filed June 19, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2FIG.8.

INVENTOR William C. Joines BY vxww ATTORNEY? United States Patent O Wyo.

Filed June 19, 1964, Ser. No. 376,406 6 Claims. (Cl. 13284) Thisinvention is a novel combined toothpaste cartridge and toothbrushparticularly appealing to and being adapted for use by children orjuveniles, the toothbrush simulating a toy pistol and having a hollowbrush head at one end carrying the bristles and having an outlet thereinat the base of the bristles for the toothpaste, the end of the headopposite from the bristles having an externally and internally shapedconical portion, the external portion of which engages thecorrespondingly-shaped end of a pistolbarrel simulating portion clampedtherearound, which barrel portion is adapted to receive therein areplaceable toothpaste cartridge having its discharge end engaging theinternal walls of the conical portion of the head; said cartridgecontaining toothpaste and having plunger means for forcing thetoothpaste from the cartridge into the hollow brush head; and saidbarrel having pivotally attached thereto a pistol-butt simulatingportion whereby the buttportion may be swung away from alignment withthe barrel-portion to permit insertion or removal of the cartridge inthe barrel.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a combination of adisposable and replaceable toothpaste cartridge and a pistol simulatingtoothbrush forming a compact unit making it more desirable for childrento brush their teeth throughout the day in order to help preserve theteeth and freshen the breath. The toothpaste is contained in thereplaceable cartridge which is replaceable in the pistol-barrel. Thepaste is forced through a bore in the stem of the brush head anddischarged into the center of the bristles of the brush by means carriedby and forming part of the cartridge, upon rotating a knob at theexposed end of the cartridge. The disposable and replaceable cartridgeis purchaseable at drugstores or the like and the'cartridge fits withinthe barrel of the pistol. When the paste is exhausted, the old cartridgeis simply removed from the pistol-barrel and discarded, and then a newpaste containing cartridge is inserted in the barrel and is ready foruse.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel toothpastecartridge which may be sold as a unit in drugstores or the like andinsertable directly in the barrel of pistol portion, the cartridge beingformed of plastic material, such as acetate, nylon, or other clearplastic, and being closed at one end and open at the other, thecartridge having a screw shaft preferably of the same material disposedaxially therein, and having a head extending through the closed end ofthe cartridge and carrying a knob whereby the shaft may be rotated tomove a plunger mounted on the shaft towards the open end, the cartridgewhen purchased being filled with toothpaste and the open end thereofbeing closed by a temporary cap which may be discarded when the open endof the cartridge is slipped into the open end of the brush head andfrictionally retained therein by slip-fit.

Other minor objects of the invention will be hereinafter set forth.

I will explain the invention with reference to the accompanying drawingswhich illustrate one practical embodiment thereof, to enable othersfamiliar with the art to adopt and used the same; and I will summarizein the claims the novel features of construction, and novel combinationsof parts, for which protection is desired.

In said drawings:

338,836 Patented Mar. 14, 1967 ice FIG. 1 is a side elevational view ofmy pistol simulating toothbrush showing the parts in normal operativeposition.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through the parts shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the parts shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the cartridge removedfrom the barrel, and showing the pistol-butt portion swung out of normalaxial alignment with the barrel portion to permit removal or insertionof the cartridge.

FIG. 6 is a section on the line 6-6, FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a section on the line 77, FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a section on the line 88, FIG. 3.

As shown in the drawings, my novel toothbrush comprises a combineddisposable and replaceable toothpaste cartridge 1 (FIG. 5), and a pistolsimulating toothbrush (FIG. 1), the toothpaste cartridge 1 (FIGS. 3 and5) being sold as a unit in drug-stores or the like and adapted in use tofit within the handle of the toothbrush, the cartridge being adapted tocontain toothpaste in its bore of desired kind. The cartridge 1 andtoothbrush are preferably of acetate or nylon, or other clear plasticmaterial.

As shown in FIG. 3, within the bore of the cartridge 1 is a screw shaft3, also preferably formed of acetate or nylon or other clear plasticmaterial, extending the full length thereof and having an enlarged head3a at its outer end passing through a bore 1a in the closed outer end ofthe cartridge, the portion 311 of the shaft 3 extending beyond theclosed end of the cartridge and receiving a knob 4, also preferablyformed of acetate or nylon, which knob 4 as shown is substantiallydome-shaped having a central bore 4a receiving the extended portion 3bof the shaft 3 which has a press fit within the bore 4a so as to besecurely attached thereto, whereby upon rotation of the knob 4 the shaft3 will be correspondingly rotated.

Slidably mounted within the bore of the cartridge 1 is a plunger 5, alsopreferably formed of acetate or nylon or other clear plastic material,having a tapped bore receiving the threads of the shaft 3, wherebyrotation of the shaft 3 will move the plunger 5 axially from the closedend of the cartridge towards the open end thereof. Preferably alongitudinal rib 10, FIG. 3, is provided in the bore of the cartridge 1engaging a groove in the wall of the plunger 5 to prevent rotation ofthe plunger 5 with the shaft 3 as the latter is rotated, therebyinsuring axial movement of the plunger within the bore as the knob 4 isturned.

When the cartridge 1 is purchased at the drugstore the plunger 5 wouldbe retracted adjacent the closed end of the cartridge, and the bore ofthe cartridge filled with toothpaste up to the outer open end thereof.As shown in FIG. 3, the outer open end of the cartridge 1 is reduced insize as at 1d and furthermore is tapered slightly, and when thecartridge is purchased at the drugstore the open end would be closed bya temporary cap (not shown) also preferably formed of acetate or nylonor other clear plastic material, said temporary cap having a taperedbore receiving the tapered end 1d of cartridge 1 so that the cap willhave a slip-fit on the end of the cartridge, but may be removedtherefrom by a slight outward pull.

As above stated, the cartridge 1 is filled with toothpaste and normallyclosed by the temporary cap and is purchasable in drugstores or thelike; and when in use the cartridge will fit within the head 2 of thepistol simulating toothbrush, which head 2 is also formed of acetate ornylon or other clear plastic material. Head 2 comprises a stem portionhaving at its inner end an enlarged cartridge receiving socket portion2a which is slightly tapered internally and externally and conforms withthe J9 taper of the outer open end 1d of the cartridge 1 so that whenthe temporary cover of the filled cartridge 1 has been removed thetapered end 1d of the cartridge will be insertable directly into thetapered socket portion 2a of the toothbrush head 2 and will make aslip-fit with the internally tapered walls thereof to frictionallysecure the cartridge 1 to the brush head 2, as shown in FIG. 3.

At the outer end of the toothbrush head 2, as shown, are bristles 2a,and the head 2 is hollow as at 2e throughout most of its length from theend portion 2a, the hollow portion 2e terminating as at 21 at a pointadjacent the center of the bristles 2d, so that the paste from thecartridge 1 may be forced by rotation of the knob 4 from the outer openend of the cartridge 1 through the hollow portion 2e2f of the brush head2 and deposited in desired amount at the base of the bristles 2d of thebrush. Preferably the bristles 2d are formed of nylon, and are insertedor punched into the brush head 2 after the head is molded, but may beformed of any other desired material and secured to the brush head 2 inany other desired manner.

Thus the cartridge 1 may be used until its contents are emptied, i.e.,until the plunger 5 has reached the outer end of the shaft 3, whereuponthe empty cartridge 1 may be readily removed from the brush head 2 and anew filled cartridge 1 inserted in its place, after removal of itstemporary cap.

As shown in the drawings, around the cartridge 1 when the latter isattached to the brush head 2, is a pistol simulating barrel 6 ofsomewhat shorter length than the cartridge 1 having an internal diametersuflicient to permit the cartridge to be inserted therethrough to engagethe brush head 2.

As shown in FIGS. 2. and 3, the barrel 6 is formed of two complementaryhalves which are secured together by pins 6a, 6b (FIG. 3) when assembledwith the brush head 2, and the bore of the barrel 6 at the end adjacentthe brush head 2 is conically formed as at 60, FIG. 3, to engage thecorrespondingly shaped exterior conical wall 2a of the hollow head ofthe brush 2 so that when the halves of the barrel 6 are clamped togetheraround the end of the brush head 2 the same will be securely lockedthereto by the pins 6a6b or the like.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the opposite end 'of the barrel 6 is providedwith recesses 6d which are disposed'diametrically apart to assist inremoval of an emptied cartridge 1 from the barrel 6, the recesses 6denabling the finger and thumb of the hand of the user to grasp the sidesof the cartridge 1 during such removal.

At the front of the barrel portion 6 disposed axially of the brush head2., is a sight simulating projection 6e which may be molded integrallywith one of the halves of the barrel 6. At the center of the barrel 6 atthe lower periphery thereof is a perforated ear 6 FIGS. 3 and 7, towhich is pivoted the pistol-butt simulating portion hereinafterdescribed.

As shown in the drawings, the pistol butt simulating portion is composedof complementary halves 7 formed of plastic material, such as acetate,nylon or other clear plastic, which when fitted together are secured byintegral rivets 7a (FIGS. 3 and 8) on one of the halves 7 engagingsockets 7b on the other half to lock the halves together. Each halfcontains a butt portion 70, a trigger portion 7d, a trigger guardportion 72, and also a hammer simulating portion 71, as shown in thedrawings.

The pistol-butt simulating portion 7 normally extends forwardly underand parallel with the barrel 6 to a point beyond the perforated ear 6),as shown in FIG. 3, and one of the halves 7 carries an integral pin 7g,FIGS. 3 and 7, which passes through the perforated ear 6 so that thepistol simulating portion 7 may be swung downwardly as shown in FIG. 5out of parallel relation with the barrel 6 to permit entry or removal ofan empty cartridge 1 from the barrel 6, the pistol-butt portion 7normally being in the position shown in FIG. 1, i.e., in alignment withor parallel with the barrel portion 6.

As shown, the hammer simulating portion 7} is spaced somewhat behind theknob of the cartridge 1 when the cartridge is positioned in the barrel6, to enable the knob 4 to be rotated when the parts are in normalposition to force the toothpaste from the cartridge into the brush head3.

When it is desired to place or remove the cartridge 1 from the barrel 6,it is only necessary to pivot the pistolbutt simulating portion 7 intothe position shown in FIG. 5, whereby the cartridge 1 may be inserted orremoved axially of the barrel 6. When'so positioned therein, the buttportion 7 would be returned to normal position shown in FIG. 1.

Thus, I have provided a novel pistol simulating toothbrush in which thebarrel simulating portion of the pistol receives a replaceable orthrowaway cartridge 1 whereby when the contents of one cartridge hasbeen emptied the entire cartridge may be thrown away and a new cartridgepurchased in a drugstore or the like and inserted in place thereof inthe barrel, the cartridge so purchased containing the plunger 5, screw 3and knob 4 necessary to force the toothpaste from the filled cartridge 1into the brush head 2. In this manner the cartridge 1 may be sold as aseparate item from the brush head 2 and pistol portions 6 and 7; and thecartridge is disposable, so that when emptied a filled cartridge iseasily replaceable in the barrel 6 of the pistol simulating toothbrush.

By forming the parts of acetate or nylon or other clear plastic materialsubstantially all members of the toothbrush and cartridge may be formedby injection molding.

I do not limit my invention to the exact form shown in the drawings, forobviously changes may be made therein within the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, a toothbrush head having bristles adjacent one end,the other end terminating in an enlarged conical socket having taperedinternal walls, said head having a bore therein communicating with thesocket and discharging at the base of the bristles; a barrel portionextending from the socket and having its outer end open; a disposableand replaceable toothpaste-containing cartridge removably housed in thebarrel and having its outer end closed and having its inner end open andtapered and making a slip-fit with the internal walls of the socket,said cartridge extending beyond the open end of the barrel; meanscarried by the cartridge for forcing the toothpaste therefrom to thebase of the bristles, and a pistol-butt simulating portion pivotallyconnected to the underside of the barrel portion and normally extendingparallel therewith, said butt portion including a hammer simulatingportion normally aligned with the barrel portion but spaced from theouter end of the cartridge, whereby said butt simulating portion may beswung to bring the hammer portion out of alignment with the barrel topermit in sertion and withdrawal of a cartridge from the barrel.

2. In a combination as set forth in claim 1, said means comprising ascrew shaft disposed axially within the cartridge and extending to theopen end thereof, the inner end of the shaft being journaled in andextending through the closed end of the cartridge; a knob on theextended end of the shaft for rotating the same; and a non-rotatableplunger threaded on the shaft within the cartridge.

3. In a combination as set forth in claim 1, said brush head, barrel,pistol butt simulating portion, cartridge, and forcing means beingformed of plastic material.

4. In combination, a toothbrush head having bristles adjacent one end,the other end terminating in an enlarged conical socket having taperedinternal and external walls, said head having a bore thereincommunicating with the socket and discharging at the base of thebristles; a barrel portion consisting of complementary halves clamped atone end around the external walls ofthe socket and having its outer endopen; a disposable and replaceable toothp te-something cartridgeremovably housed in the barrel and having its outer end closed andhaving its inner end open and tapered and making a slip-fit with theinternal walls of the socket, said cartridge extending beyond the openend of the barrel; means carried by the cartridge for forcing thetoothpaste therefrom to the base of the bristles, and a pistol-buttsimulating portion pivotally connected to the underside of the barrelportion and normally extending parallel therewith; said butt portionincluding handle, trigger, trigger guard and hammer simulating portions,said hammer simulating portion being normally aligned with the barrelportion but spaced from the outer end of the cartridge, whereby saidbutt simulating portion may be swung to bring the hammer, portion out ofalignment with the barrel to permit insertion and withdrawal of acartridge from the barrel.

5. In a combination as set forth in claim 4, said means comprising ascrew shaft disposed axially within the cartridge and extending to theopen end thereof, the inner end of the shaft being journaled in andextending through References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS1,561,140 11/1925 Coleman 132-84 1,907,839 5/1933 Lefever 222-793,141,465 7/ 1964 Petr-opoulos 132-84 FOREIGN PATENTS 349,626 6/1937Italy.

RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner. G. MCN-EILL, Assistant Examiner.

1. IN COMBINATION, A TOOTHBRUSH HEAD HAVING BRISTLES ADJACENT ONE END,THE OTHER END TERMINATING IN AN ENLARGED CONICAL SOCKET HAVING TAPEREDINTERNAL WALLS, SAID HEAD HAVING A BORE THEREIN COMMUNICATING WITH THESOCKET AND DISCHARGING AT THE BASE OF THE BRISTLES; A BARREL PORTIONEXTENDING FROM THE SOCKET AND HAVING ITS OUTER END OPEN; A DISPOSABLEAND REPLACEABLE TOOTHPASTE-CONTAINING CARTRIDGE REMOVABLY HOUSED IN THEBARREL AND HAVING ITS OUTER END CLOSED AND HAVING ITS INNER END OPEN ANDTAPERED AND MAKING A SLIP-FIT WITH THE INTERNAL WALLS OF THE SOCKET,SAID CARTRIDGE EXTENDING BEYOND THE OPEN END OF THE BARREL; MEANSCARRIED BY THE CARTRIDGE FOR FORCING THE TOOTHPASTE THEREFROM TO THEBASE OF THE BRISTLES, AND A PISTOL-BUTT SIMULATING PORTION PIVOTALLYCONNECTED TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE BARREL PORTION AND NORMALLY EXTENDINGPARALLEL THEREWITH, SAID BUTT PORTION INCLUDING A HAMMER SIMULATINGPORTION NORMALLY ALIGNED WITH THE BARREL PORTION BUT SPACED FROM THEOUTER END OF THE CARTRIDGE, WHEREBY SAID BUTT SIMULATING PORTION MAY BESWUNG TO BRING THE HAMMER PORTION OUT OF ALIGNMENT WITH THE BARREL TOPERMIT INSERTION AND WITHDRAWAL OF A CARTRIDGE FROM THE BARREL.